Empress Maria was a child priestess in the disbanded cult of the Vestal Virgins. She fakes her death to escape her marriage to a vile ruler and journeys to find Celia—the last Chief of the Vestals—to persuade her to lift the deadly curse cast upon her mother. Maria's reunion with Celia teaches her about the life of a Vestal she never had the chance to lead.

Historical Fiction,

A barren empress, Maria, suffers through her marriage to a vile ruler. But when her mother is stricken with a curse cast upon her for trying to steal a necklace from a cherished statue, Maria fakes her death to find the woman responsible and save her mother's life.

Ancient Rome, 408 CE

Yes

Internal Journey/Rebirth

Philosophical Questions

Nudity, Sexual Abuse

Name: Maria Stilicho

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Beautiful, Desperate, Educated, Obedient, Perseverance

Name: Celia Concordia (true name Coelia Concordia)

Age: 46

Gender: Female

Role: Mentor

Key Traits: Masculine, Religious, Badass, Blunt, Complex, Honorable, Leader, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Outspoken, Strong Moral Code

Name: Rhea Silvia

Age: 38

Gender: Female

Role: Emotional

Key Traits: Clumsy, Desperate, Faithful, Gracious, Insecure, Naive, Uneducated

Name: Aemilia

Age: 16

Gender: Female

Role: Emotional

Key Traits: Aspiring, Beautiful, Charming, Desperate, Insecure, Romantic, Secretive

Age: 35-54

Target Gender: Female leaning

Information not completed

Status: No

No

Information not completed